The Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity launched a countywide public awareness campaign aimed at supporting small businesses affected by recent wildfires.
The "Shop Local. Dine Local. Recover Local." initiative targets businesses reeling from economic impacts including property losses, revenue drops and customer decreases in fire-impacted communities, particularly those hit hardest by the Eaton and Palisades Fires in Altadena and other unincorporated areas.
The campaign seeks to increase consumer support and business revenue by raising public awareness of post-fire economic impacts, actively promoting local events and businesses, and incentivizing community members to shop and dine locally.
Several municipalities and organizations are partnering with the county on the effort, including the cities of Santa Monica, Los Angeles, Malibu and Pasadena. Partner organizations include Together for LA, the California Restaurant Association, Regarding Her, the Latino Restaurant Association, the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation and the Independent Hospitality Coalition.
Local businesses in or near impacted areas can register at shoplocal.la to be included in the Recover Local Business Directory, an online list of highly-impacted businesses. Participating businesses will receive promotional support and direct access to critical resources, including marketing tools and help navigating available services.
Residents are encouraged to take the Shop Local Pledge, explore participating businesses and stay updated on community events and special promotions at shoplocal.la.
The campaign builds on the department's broader recovery efforts, including the $19.1 million LA Region Small Business and Worker Relief Fund, which has delivered support to more than 1,370 businesses and 2,300 workers across the region.
The county also launched the Fire Recovery Resilience Workforce Program, which provides paid, transitional work opportunities and wraparound support for 1,000 displaced and dislocated workers. The program is supported by a $20 million investment from the state's Employment Development Department through the National Dislocated Worker and Additional Assistance Grant.
Edited by SMDP Staff